67-72 front susp. swap for 73-87

[noonzor]

just wondering anyone done this swap with a genIII conversion. run into any issues? wondering if its worth the swap or just stick with the 67-72 stuff. the 73-87 swap seems to be popular.

thanks guys!

[darthwall]

the only thing I have noticed is the 73-87 is a tade wider and you can shim it

[LONGHAIR]

Most of the time it is done to simplify a drum to disc conversion, but there is also the advantage of the newer control arm bushings.
"Issues" are minor. There is one hole that doesn't line up and must be drilled in order to work....and you have to "deal with" the engine somehow. This swap is easiest to perform if the engine is out, but it can be done with it installed. You just have to be able to support it while the crossmember is out.

[noonzor]

excellent, yeah motor issues wont be any concern as the engine isnt even built yet haha. the aftermarket parts are a bit cheaper aswell ive noticed. yeah ive seen a lot of guys notching the crossmember too. is this just off oil pan clearance issues or.....?

[kev2809]

also, i think the 73-87 suspension has 3" drop spindles available. 67-72 i think has 2 1/2"

[noonzor]

i do want to run 13" front discs, the 3" instead of 2 1/2" is nice, are the newer style control arm bushings a big improvement?

just wondering overall is it worth the swap? if so ill be makin a junkyard trip soon!

[Spray-Bomb]

To me there is no point in swapping the whole thing unless you have one that is already rebuilt

I prefer the old style bushings, but the 73-87s may give just a lil more smoothness (but I never noticed the difference

You can change your ball joints to 73-87 BJs & run the 73-87 spindles so you have disc brakes & I think you may need to change outer tie rod ends to fit the spindles also

As for swapping the whole cross member, its really no big deal, like said above if the engine is out its just unbolting & bolting in (I have never drilled a new hole, as I have never seen where it would need to be)

[noonzor]

so i can keep the stock crossmember, and just bolt on 73-83 stuff? i want drop spindles anyways, so ill be buying new ones. im thinkin i may as well just keep the 67-72 stuff, cuz im gonna be buying new spindles, new discs brakes and upgrading the powersteering.

man i hate decision making haha.

[BACKYARD88]

I used 85 arms on my 71 crossmember. If you're planning on new bushings, the 73-up stuff is cheaper. I also feel it rides better.

[noonzor]

maybe a dumb question but.....

would 73-87 stuff bolt onto my 69 crossmember?? upgrading damn near everything else on the truck, may as well go with newer suspension pieces.

[BACKYARD88]

As far as I know a 69 crossmember isn't different from 71 so I don't see why it wouldn't.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by noonzor

maybe a dumb question but.....

would 73-87 stuff bolt onto my 69 crossmember?? upgrading damn near everything else on the truck, may as well go with newer suspension pieces.

Yes, 73-87 stuff will swap over to the earlier (pre-71) crossmember.

[Twisted78SS]

I made a spreadsheet for the front suspension some time back, that outlines the part numbers and application years. I need to update it with the 73 up components but your welcome to use it for reference. Once I get the updates completed I will re-post it. I have used the 73 up arms, spindles etc... on earlier cross members before without any issues. Some things like the brake calipers are the same, and I have used the later brake lines too.

http://www.2heeldrive.com/Chevrolet/...onent_info.xls

[noonzor]

Originally Posted by Twisted78SS

I made a spreadsheet for the front suspension some time back, that outlines the part numbers and application years. I need to update it with the 73 up components but your welcome to use it for reference. Once I get the updates completed I will re-post it. I have used the 73 up arms, spindles etc... on earlier cross members before without any issues. Some things like the brake calipers are the same, and I have used the later brake lines too.

http://www.2heeldrive.com/Chevrolet/...onent_info.xls

thanks dude!!

thanks for the input fellas!!

[nomrlz]

i've seen alot of info on 73-87 swaps but i havn't been able to find any info on rebuilding the newer stuff prior. is there any brand/material people have found to be the best performer? i always used energy rebuild kits but that was some time back. are there any other more preferred for price per quality, better quality, etc.? i'm gettin a complete 86 chevy to pull parts from to put on the boys 66.

[Twisted78SS]

I have updated the spreadsheet listed above with most of the common part numbers for the 73-up components..

Hope it helps.

[noonzor]

thanks!

[55dude]

what about putting 75' C10 5-lug on a 70' C20 8-lug? what is needed to complete the changeover. thanks